Neto
footballer.
Norberto Murara Neto, commonly known as Neto, is a Brazilian professional goalkeeper currently playing for Arsenal on loan from AFC Bournemouth. Born on July 19, 1989, Neto has had a distinguished career spanning multiple top European clubs. He began his professional journey with Athletico Paranaense in Brazil before moving to Italy's Fiorentina in 2011. His performances in Serie A caught the attention of Juventus, where he spent two seasons as Gianluigi Buffon's backup, winning domestic doubles in both years. In 2017, Neto moved to Spain, first joining Valencia where he established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper. His success at Valencia led to a high-profile transfer to Barcelona in 2019, where he served as Marc-André ter Stegen's deputy. After three seasons with the Catalan giants, Neto sought more regular playing time and joined Premier League side AFC Bournemouth in 2022. His leadership qualities were quickly recognized, and he was named club captain just six months after joining. Neto's career has been characterized by his ability to perform at the highest level, whether as a starter or a reliable backup. His experience across different leagues and cultures has made him a valuable asset to every team he's played for, culminating in his current loan spell at Arsenal, where he continues to showcase his skills and leadership in the Premier League.
Early life & youth football
Neto's early life and youth career began in Minas Gerais, Brazil. He started playing football at a young age, showing a natural aptitude for goalkeeping. Neto joined the youth academy of Cruzeiro, one of Brazil's most successful clubs, where he honed his skills and developed his technique. His talent was evident from an early age, and he quickly progressed through the ranks. However, Neto's path to professional football took an unexpected turn when he moved to Athletico Paranaense's youth setup. It was at Athletico Paranaense where Neto completed his development and made the transition to senior football. He made his professional debut for the club at the age of 19 in August 2009, marking the beginning of his senior career.
Professional career
Neto's professional career began at Athletico Paranaense in Brazil. He joined the club's youth academy and quickly progressed through the ranks, showing promise as a talented young goalkeeper. In August 2009, at the age of 19, Neto made his professional debut for Athletico Paranaense in a match against Grêmio Barueri.The 2010 season proved to be Neto's breakthrough year. He established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper for Athletico Paranaense, making 34 appearances in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. His performances were impressive for such a young goalkeeper, showcasing excellent reflexes and a commanding presence in the penalty area.Neto's time at Athletico Paranaense was relatively short but crucial for his development. He gained valuable experience playing regular first-team football in one of Brazil's top leagues. His performances caught the attention of European scouts, particularly those from Italian club Fiorentina.In January 2011, after just one and a half seasons in the Athletico Paranaense first team, Neto's potential was recognized internationally. Fiorentina secured his services for a reported fee of €3.5 million. This move marked the end of Neto's time at Athletico Paranaense, but it had been a successful period that launched his career and set the stage for his move to European football.During his time at Athletico Paranaense, Neto made a total of 36 league appearances. While this may seem like a relatively small number, it was enough to demonstrate his abilities and potential. His rapid rise from the youth ranks to becoming the first-choice goalkeeper and then securing a move to a top European league was a testament to his talent and the quality of his performances.Neto's move to Fiorentina in January 2011 marked the beginning of his European adventure. The Brazilian goalkeeper signed a contract with the Italian club for a reported fee of €3.5 million. Initially, Neto found himself as the backup to established goalkeeper Artur Boruc, which limited his playing time in his first season.Neto made his debut for Fiorentina on November 24, 2011, in a Coppa Italia match against Empoli, which Fiorentina won 2-1. His Serie A debut came later that season, on April 29, 2012, in a 2-0 loss against Atalanta. In his first full season (2011-12), Neto made only two Serie A appearances and two in the Coppa Italia.The 2012-13 season saw Neto gradually gain more playing time. He made six Serie A appearances and four in the Coppa Italia. However, he was still largely serving as a backup to Emiliano Viviano, who had joined the club on loan.Neto's breakthrough at Fiorentina came in the 2013-14 season. With both Boruc and Viviano having left the club, Neto became the first-choice goalkeeper. He made 35 appearances in Serie A and played a crucial role in Fiorentina's Europa League campaign, featuring in nine matches as the team reached the round of 16.The 2014-15 season further cemented Neto's status as one of Serie A's top goalkeepers. He made 29 league appearances and played seven matches in the Europa League, helping Fiorentina reach the semi-finals. His performances were crucial in Fiorentina's fourth-place finish in Serie A, securing European football for the following season.Throughout his time at Fiorentina, Neto's game continued to develop. He improved his shot-stopping abilities, command of the penalty area, and distribution skills. His performances attracted attention from bigger clubs, including Juventus.However, Neto's time at Fiorentina ended on a somewhat sour note. In January 2015, he announced that he would not be renewing his contract with the club, which was set to expire at the end of the season. This decision disappointed Fiorentina fans and management, who had hoped to retain their first-choice goalkeeper. Neto joined Juventus on a free transfer in July 2015, signing a four-year contract with the Italian giants. This move represented a significant step up in his career, joining one of the most prestigious clubs in world football. However, it also meant that he would primarily serve as a backup to the legendary Gianluigi Buffon.During his two seasons at Juventus, Neto's playing time was limited in Serie A due to Buffon's presence. However, he became the club's primary goalkeeper for cup competitions. In the 2015-16 season, Neto made his debut for Juventus on September 23, 2015, in a 1-1 Serie A draw against Frosinone. His first clean sheet for the club came in a 4-0 Coppa Italia victory over local rivals Torino on December 16, 2015.Neto's role in Juventus' Coppa Italia campaigns was particularly noteworthy. He played in all of Juventus' Coppa Italia matches in both the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons, helping the team secure back-to-back cup victories. In the 2016 final, Juventus defeated AC Milan 1-0 after extra time, with Neto keeping a clean sheet. The following year, they beat Lazio 2-0 in the final, with Neto again not conceding.Despite his limited appearances in the league, Neto was part of a highly successful Juventus team that won the domestic double (Serie A and Coppa Italia) in both of his seasons at the club. He also gained valuable experience in the UEFA Champions League, making his debut in the competition during his time with Juventus.In total, Neto made 22 appearances for Juventus across all competitions over his two seasons. While his playing time was limited, the experience of being part of a winning team and learning from world-class players like Buffon was invaluable for his career development. His performances in the Coppa Italia demonstrated his ability to perform in high-pressure situations, even with limited regular playing time.After two seasons with Juventus, Neto decided to seek more regular first-team football, which led to his move to Valencia in July 2017.Neto's move to Valencia in July 2017 marked a new chapter in his career, as he sought more regular playing time. He joined the Spanish club for a reported fee of €7 million, plus an additional €2 million in conditional bonuses, signing a four-year contract.At Valencia, Neto quickly established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper. He made his debut for the club on August 18, 2017, keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 La Liga victory against Las Palmas. This set the tone for what would be two successful seasons at the Mestalla Stadium.In his first season (2017-18), Neto made 33 appearances in La Liga, playing a crucial role in Valencia's fourth-place finish and qualification for the UEFA Champions League. His performances were instrumental in helping Valencia concede only 38 goals in the league, the fourth-best defensive record that season.The 2018-19 season saw Neto further cement his status as one of La Liga's top goalkeepers. He made 34 league appearances and played a key role in Valencia's run to the Copa del Rey final. Although he didn't play in the final itself (as Jaume Doménech was the designated cup goalkeeper), Valencia's victory over Barcelona was a significant achievement for the club.Neto's performances in the Champions League were also noteworthy. He played in all six of Valencia's group stage matches in the 2018-19 season, helping the team qualify for the knockout stages. In total, he made 13 appearances in European competitions during his time at Valencia.Over his two seasons at Valencia, Neto made an impressive 80 appearances across all competitions. His consistent performances and leadership at the back were crucial in re-establishing Valencia as a force in Spanish football, with the team securing back-to-back fourth-place finishes in La Liga.Neto's time at Valencia showcased his ability to be a reliable first-choice goalkeeper at a top European club. His performances attracted attention from even bigger clubs, leading to his move to Barcelona in the summer of 2019. Neto joined Barcelona on June 27, 2019, for a fee of €26 million plus €9 million in add-ons. He arrived as a backup to Marc-André ter Stegen, with Jasper Cillessen moving in the opposite direction to Valencia. This transfer represented a significant step in Neto's career, joining one of the biggest clubs in world football.Neto's debut for Barcelona came on December 10, 2019, in a Champions League match against Inter Milan. Barcelona, having already qualified for the knockout stages, rested many key players, giving Neto his first opportunity. He kept a clean sheet in a 2-1 victory at the San Siro, making a solid first impression.In La Liga, Neto's opportunities were limited due to ter Stegen's established position as first-choice goalkeeper. His league debut came on January 4, 2020, in a 2-2 draw against Espanyol in the Derbi barceloní. This appearance was due to an injury to ter Stegen, highlighting Neto's role as a reliable backup.The 2020-21 season saw Neto gain more playing time, particularly at the start of the campaign. With ter Stegen recovering from knee surgery, Neto started Barcelona's first six league games. This period included a high-profile appearance in El Clásico against Real Madrid on October 24, 2020, although Barcelona lost 3-1 at home.Neto's increased involvement at the beginning of the 2020-21 season also extended to the Champions League, where he played in three of the six group stage matches. These appearances included a notable clean sheet in a 2-0 victory over Juventus on October 28, 2020.Despite these opportunities, Neto's role remained primarily as a backup once ter Stegen returned to full fitness. Over his two seasons at Barcelona, Neto made a total of 17 appearances across all competitions. This included 9 appearances in La Liga, 4 in the Champions League, 3 in the Copa del Rey, and 1 in the Supercopa de España.During his time at Barcelona, Neto was part of the squad that won the 2020-21 Copa del Rey. Although he didn't play in the final, his contributions in earlier rounds of the competition were valuable to the team's success.Neto's spell at Barcelona, while limited in terms of playing time, provided him with experience at the highest level of club football. He was part of a squad featuring world-class players like Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann, and Frenkie de Jong, among others. This experience, along with training alongside ter Stegen, one of the world's top goalkeepers, undoubtedly contributed to Neto's development as a player.However, the lack of regular playing time at Barcelona led Neto to seek opportunities elsewhere. In August 2022, after three seasons with the Catalan giants, Neto made the decision to move to the Premier League, joining AFC Bournemouth.While Neto's time at Barcelona may not have provided him with the regular first-team football he desired, it was nonetheless a significant period in his career. Being part of one of the world's most prestigious clubs, competing in the Champions League, and winning a major trophy added to his experience and profile as a goalkeeper.Neto's move to AFC Bournemouth in August 2022 marked a new chapter in his career and his first experience in English football. He joined the newly-promoted Premier League side on a free transfer, signing a two-year contract with an option for a further year.Bournemouth's acquisition of Neto was seen as a coup for the club, bringing in a goalkeeper with experience at top European clubs like Juventus, Valencia, and Barcelona. His arrival was intended to provide competition and experience in the goalkeeping department as Bournemouth prepared for their return to the Premier League.Neto made his debut for Bournemouth on August 13, 2022, in the club's second match of the Premier League season, a 4-0 defeat against Manchester City. Despite the scoreline, Neto's performance was praised, as he made several important saves to prevent an even heavier defeat.The Brazilian quickly established himself as Bournemouth's first-choice goalkeeper, displacing Mark Travers who had been the club's number one during their promotion campaign. Neto's experience and shot-stopping ability were seen as crucial assets for a team expected to face a relegation battle.Neto's leadership qualities were quickly recognized at Bournemouth. In a surprising move, he was named club captain in January 2023, just six months after joining the club. This decision highlighted the immediate impact he had made both on and off the pitch, bringing his wealth of experience to bear in guiding a relatively young squad.Throughout the 2022-23 season, Neto was a consistent presence in the Bournemouth goal. He made 32 appearances in the Premier League, playing a crucial role in the club's successful battle against relegation. His performances were often crucial in securing important points, with several standout displays against top opposition.One of Neto's most memorable performances came in a 1-0 victory over Liverpool on March 11, 2023. He made several crucial saves to keep a clean sheet and secure a vital win in Bournemouth's fight for survival. This performance exemplified the quality and experience he brought to the team.Neto's first season at Bournemouth was generally considered a success. His shot-stopping ability, command of his area, and leadership were all praised as key factors in the club maintaining their Premier League status. He finished the season with 8 clean sheets in the league, a respectable tally for a team that spent much of the campaign battling relegation.The 2023-24 season saw Neto continue as Bournemouth's first-choice goalkeeper and captain. His performances remained consistent, and he continued to be a key figure in the team's efforts to establish themselves as a stable Premier League club.However, in January 2024, an unexpected opportunity arose when Arsenal approached Bournemouth about a loan deal for Neto. With Arsenal facing an injury crisis in their goalkeeping department, they sought Neto's experience as cover for the remainder of the season.Bournemouth agreed to the loan deal, allowing Neto to join Arsenal until the end of the 2023-24 season. This move was seen as a testament to Neto's performances and reputation, with one of the Premier League's top clubs seeking his services.At the time of his loan move to Arsenal, Neto had made 63 appearances for Bournemouth across all competitions. His time at the club was marked by consistent performances, leadership, and a key role in helping the team establish themselves in the Premier League following their promotion.
National team
Neto's youth international career with Brazil was relatively brief but significant in his development. He represented Brazil at various youth levels, including the Under-20 team. His performances in youth tournaments and friendlies caught the attention of national team selectors, showcasing his potential as a future senior international. While Neto didn't participate in any major youth tournaments like the U20 World Cup, his time in the youth setup provided valuable experience in international football. These early experiences with the national team helped Neto develop his skills in high-pressure situations and exposed him to different styles of play. His time in the youth ranks also allowed him to build relationships with other promising Brazilian talents, many of whom would go on to become his teammates at the senior level. Although Neto's youth international career was not as extensive as some of his peers, it laid the foundation for his future involvement with the senior national team.Neto's senior international career with Brazil has been characterized by limited opportunities but significant recognition of his abilities. He received his first call-up to the senior national team in September 2010 under manager Mano Menezes, who was looking to integrate young talent into the squad. Although Neto didn't feature in the friendlies against Iran and Ukraine during this call-up, his inclusion in the squad was a testament to his potential. In October of the same year, he was again called up for a friendly against Argentina, further cementing his place in the national team picture.A significant milestone in Neto's international career came when he was selected for Brazil's squad for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. He played in the team's first two group stage matches against Egypt and Belarus, keeping clean sheets in both games. However, he was replaced by Gabriel for the remainder of the tournament as Brazil went on to win the silver medal.Despite his Olympic experience, Neto has found it challenging to establish himself as a regular in the senior national team due to the fierce competition for the goalkeeper position. Brazil has consistently produced world-class goalkeepers, making it difficult for Neto to secure a regular spot in the squad. Nevertheless, his consistent performances at club level have kept him in contention for national team selection over the years.Neto's most recent involvement with the national team came in 2019 when he was included in Brazil's squad for friendlies. While he hasn't added significantly to his cap count, his continued inclusion in squads demonstrates the respect he commands within Brazilian football and the value placed on his experience and ability.
Player’s style
Neto's style of play is characterized by his excellent reflexes, commanding presence in the penalty area, and ability to distribute the ball effectively. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches, he possesses the ideal height for a modern goalkeeper, allowing him to cover a large portion of the goal. Neto is known for his shot-stopping abilities, often making spectacular saves from close range. He excels in one-on-one situations, using his size and positioning to make it difficult for attackers to score. In terms of aerial ability, Neto is confident and effective when coming off his line to claim crosses or high balls. His distribution skills, both with his hands and feet, enable him to initiate attacks quickly and accurately. Neto's experience playing in different leagues has enhanced his tactical understanding, making him adept at reading the game and organizing his defense.